The Shield

The 2024-25 war

The Shield

One club carries it. Every game it plays is a siege. Break the holder, and the Shield is yours.

2024-25 Shield champion

Washington Capitals

7 attackers beaten back, more than any club, across 3 reigns. Longest stand: 3 defenses.

Still standing with it at the last horn: the Toronto Maple Leafs, after Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 3 (OT).

Carried it into the season: Florida Panthers. The Florida Panthers won the 2024 Stanley Cup, so they opened 2024-25 holding the Shield.

THE SHIELD · MMXXIV · MMXXV THE SHIELD · MMXXIV · MMXXV ANABOSBUFCGYCARCHICOLCBJDALDETEDMFLALAKMINMTLNSHNJDNYINYROTTPHIPITSJSSEASTLTBLTORUTAVANVGKWSHWPG Anaheim Ducks: 2 defensesBoston Bruins: 1 defense, beaten back 2 timesBuffalo Sabres: Never held it, beaten back 2 timesCalgary Flames: 1 defense, beaten back onceCarolina Hurricanes: 0 defensesChicago Blackhawks: 0 defensesColorado Avalanche: 2 defensesColumbus Blue Jackets: 1 defense, beaten back onceDallas Stars: 6 defensesDetroit Red Wings: 1 defense, beaten back onceEdmonton Oilers: 2 defenses, beaten back onceFlorida Panthers: 4 defenses, beaten back 2 timesLos Angeles Kings: Never held it, beaten back 2 timesMinnesota Wild: Never held it, beaten back 3 timesMontréal Canadiens: 1 defense, beaten back onceNashville Predators: 0 defenses, beaten back 2 timesNew Jersey Devils: 0 defenses, beaten back 2 timesNew York Islanders: 0 defenses, beaten back 2 timesNew York Rangers: 0 defenses, beaten back onceOttawa Senators: 2 defensesPhiladelphia Flyers: Never held it, beaten back oncePittsburgh Penguins: 2 defenses, beaten back onceSan Jose Sharks: 0 defensesSeattle Kraken: Never held it, beaten back 6 timesSt. Louis Blues: 1 defense, beaten back 2 timesTampa Bay Lightning: 3 defenses, beaten back 2 timesToronto Maple Leafs: 1 defense, beaten back onceUtah Hockey Club: 0 defenses, beaten back onceVancouver Canucks: 2 defenses, beaten back onceVegas Golden Knights: Never held it, beaten back 3 timesWashington Capitals: 7 defenses: Shield championsWinnipeg Jets: 2 defenses Defense 1: Ducks 2, Kings 1 (SO), Feb 8Defense 2: Ducks 3, Bruins 2 (OT), Feb 22Defense 1: Bruins 3, Panthers 2, Mar 11Defense 1: Flames 4, Kraken 3 (OT), Mar 25Defense 1: Avalanche 4, Kings 2, Nov 13Defense 2: Avalanche 7, Panthers 4, Nov 23Defense 1: Blue Jackets 5, Red Wings 3, Mar 1Defense 1: Stars 4, Flyers 1, Jan 9Defense 2: Stars 2, Canadiens 1 (SO), Jan 11Defense 3: Stars 5, Blue Jackets 3, Feb 2Defense 4: Stars 5, Kraken 1, Mar 29Defense 5 (gold): Stars 3, Kraken 1, Mar 31Defense 6: Stars 5, Predators 1, Apr 3Defense 1: Red Wings 3, Wild 2, Feb 25Defense 1: Oilers 7, Wild 1, Dec 12Defense 2: Oilers 6, Golden Knights 3, Dec 14Defense 1: Panthers 6, Bruins 4, Oct 8Defense 2: Panthers 6, Wild 1, Dec 18Defense 3: Panthers 2, Blues 1 (OT), Dec 20Defense 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2, Dec 22Defense 1: Canadiens 3, Golden Knights 2, Dec 31Defense 1: Senators 2, Islanders 0, Jan 14Defense 2: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 2, Mar 15Defense 1: Penguins 6, Sabres 5 (OT), Oct 16Defense 2: Penguins 4, Devils 2, Apr 11Defense 1: Blues 3, Lightning 2, Nov 5Defense 1: Lightning 4, Canucks 2, Dec 8Defense 2: Lightning 6, Rangers 2, Dec 28Defense 3: Lightning 6, Sabres 5, Mar 6Defense 1: Maple Leafs 4, Kraken 1, Oct 31Defense 1: Canucks 5, Blues 2, Jan 27Defense 2: Canucks 3, Predators 1, Jan 29Defense 1: Capitals 5, Golden Knights 2, Nov 17Defense 2: Capitals 6, Utah Hockey Club 2, Nov 18Defense 3: Capitals 5, Islanders 4 (OT), Nov 29Defense 4: Capitals 6, Devils 5, Nov 30Defense 5 (gold): Capitals 4, Penguins 1, Jan 18Defense 6: Capitals 3, Oilers 2, Jan 21Defense 7: Capitals 3, Kraken 0, Jan 23Defense 1: Jets 4, Kraken 3 (OT), Oct 24Defense 2: Jets 5, Flames 3, Oct 26
WSH
Washington Capitals

A defense Every fifth, gold Beaten back by the holder Lost the Shield Next challenger

The shield wall

Every club's own shield this season, crowned with its club's shape: painted once it has held the Shield, a rivet for every defense, an arrow for every time the holder threw it back, a gash for every time it lost the Shield. Pick one for its story.

The E 14 of 16 have held it

  • BOS
  • BUF
  • CAR
  • CBJ
  • DET
  • FLA
  • MTL
  • NJD
  • NYI
  • NYR
  • OTT
  • PHI
  • PIT
  • TBL
  • TOR
  • WSH

The We 12 of 16 have held it

  • ANA
  • CGY
  • CHI
  • COL
  • DAL
  • EDM
  • LAK
  • MIN
  • NSH
  • SEA
  • SJS
  • STL
  • UTA
  • VAN
  • VGK
  • WPG

The saga

46 reigns, every one ended by force but the last. Longest stand: the Panthers, 3 attackers beaten back.

FLA1OTT0MTL0PIT1CAR0STL0WPG2TOR1STL1UTA0NSH0COL1WSH2COL1TBL0WSH2SJS0TBL1EDM2FLA3TBL1MTL1CHI0NYR0DAL2OTT1WSH3VAN2DAL1ANA2DET1CBJ1TBL1BOS1OTT1MTL0NYI0CGY1DAL3PIT0CHI0PIT1BOS0NJD0DET0TOR0

From Oct 886 Shield games, 46 reigns

Each block is one reign, in order from opening night: as wide as the Shield games it lasted, with its club and the number of defenses it made. Pick a block for the game its reign began with.

  1. Toronto Maple Leafs 0 defenses Took it by force from the Red Wings on Apr 17, 4-3 OT. Still standing at the last horn.
  2. Detroit Red Wings 0 defenses Wrenched it from the Devils on Apr 16, 5-2. Fell to the Maple Leafs on Apr 17, 4-3 OT.
  3. New Jersey Devils 0 defenses Ripped it from the Bruins on Apr 15, 5-4 OT. Stripped of it by the Red Wings on Apr 16, 5-2.
  4. Boston Bruins 0 defenses Seized it from the Penguins on Apr 13, 4-1. Overrun by the Devils on Apr 15, 5-4 OT.
  5. Pittsburgh Penguins 1 defense Tore it from the Blackhawks on Apr 8, 5-0. Broken by the Bruins on Apr 13, 4-1.
  6. Chicago Blackhawks 0 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Penguins on Apr 6, 3-1. Lost it to the Penguins on Apr 8, 5-0.
  7. Pittsburgh Penguins 0 defenses Took it by force from the Stars on Apr 5, 5-3. Fell to the Blackhawks on Apr 6, 3-1.
  8. Dallas Stars 3 defenses Wrenched it from the Flames on Mar 27, 5-2. Stripped of it by the Penguins on Apr 5, 5-3.
  9. Calgary Flames 1 defense Ripped it from the Islanders on Mar 22, 4-3 OT. Overrun by the Stars on Mar 27, 5-2.
  10. New York Islanders 0 defenses Seized it from the Canadiens on Mar 20, 4-3 OT. Broken by the Flames on Mar 22, 4-3 OT.
  11. Montréal Canadiens 0 defenses Tore it from the Senators on Mar 18, 6-3. Lost it to the Islanders on Mar 20, 4-3 OT.
  12. Ottawa Senators 1 defense Cut it from the grip of the Bruins on Mar 13, 6-3. Fell to the Canadiens on Mar 18, 6-3.
  13. Boston Bruins 1 defense Took it by force from the Lightning on Mar 8, 4-0. Stripped of it by the Senators on Mar 13, 6-3.
  14. Tampa Bay Lightning 1 defense Wrenched it from the Blue Jackets on Mar 4, 6-2. Overrun by the Bruins on Mar 8, 4-0.
  15. Columbus Blue Jackets 1 defense Ripped it from the Red Wings on Feb 27, 5-2. Broken by the Lightning on Mar 4, 6-2.
  16. Detroit Red Wings 1 defense Seized it from the Ducks on Feb 23, 5-4 OT. Lost it to the Blue Jackets on Feb 27, 5-2.
  17. Anaheim Ducks 2 defenses Tore it from the Stars on Feb 4, 2-1. Fell to the Red Wings on Feb 23, 5-4 OT.
  18. Dallas Stars 1 defense Cut it from the grip of the Canucks on Jan 31, 5-3. Stripped of it by the Ducks on Feb 4, 2-1.
  19. Vancouver Canucks 2 defenses Took it by force from the Capitals on Jan 25, 2-1. Overrun by the Stars on Jan 31, 5-3.
  20. Washington Capitals 3 defenses Wrenched it from the Senators on Jan 16, 1-0 OT. Broken by the Canucks on Jan 25, 2-1.
  21. Ottawa Senators 1 defense Ripped it from the Stars on Jan 12, 3-2. Lost it to the Capitals on Jan 16, 1-0 OT.
  22. Dallas Stars 2 defenses Seized it from the Rangers on Jan 7, 5-4 OT. Fell to the Senators on Jan 12, 3-2.
  23. New York Rangers 0 defenses Tore it from the Blackhawks on Jan 5, 6-2. Stripped of it by the Stars on Jan 7, 5-4 OT.
  24. Chicago Blackhawks 0 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Canadiens on Jan 3, 4-2. Overrun by the Rangers on Jan 5, 6-2.
  25. Montréal Canadiens 1 defense Took it by force from the Lightning on Dec 29, 5-2. Broken by the Blackhawks on Jan 3, 4-2.
  26. Tampa Bay Lightning 1 defense Wrenched it from the Panthers on Dec 23, 4-0. Lost it to the Canadiens on Dec 29, 5-2.
  27. Florida Panthers 3 defenses Ripped it from the Oilers on Dec 16, 6-5. Fell to the Lightning on Dec 23, 4-0.
  28. Edmonton Oilers 2 defenses Seized it from the Lightning on Dec 10, 2-1. Stripped of it by the Panthers on Dec 16, 6-5.
  29. Tampa Bay Lightning 1 defense Tore it from the Sharks on Dec 5, 8-1. Overrun by the Oilers on Dec 10, 2-1.
  30. San Jose Sharks 0 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Capitals on Dec 3, 2-1 OT. Broken by the Lightning on Dec 5, 8-1.
  31. Washington Capitals 2 defenses Took it by force from the Lightning on Nov 27, 5-4. Lost it to the Sharks on Dec 3, 2-1 OT.
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning 0 defenses Wrenched it from the Avalanche on Nov 25, 8-2. Fell to the Capitals on Nov 27, 5-4.
  33. Colorado Avalanche 1 defense Ripped it from the Capitals on Nov 21, 2-1. Stripped of it by the Lightning on Nov 25, 8-2.
  34. Washington Capitals 2 defenses Seized it from the Avalanche on Nov 15, 5-2. Overrun by the Avalanche on Nov 21, 2-1.
  35. Colorado Avalanche 1 defense Tore it from the Predators on Nov 11, 3-2 OT. Broken by the Capitals on Nov 15, 5-2.
  36. Nashville Predators 0 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Utah Hockey Club on Nov 9, 4-0. Lost it to the Avalanche on Nov 11, 3-2 OT.
  37. Utah Hockey Club 0 defenses Took it by force from the Blues on Nov 7, 4-2. Fell to the Predators on Nov 9, 4-0.
  38. St. Louis Blues 1 defense Wrenched it from the Maple Leafs on Nov 2, 4-2. Stripped of it by the Utah Hockey Club on Nov 7, 4-2.
  39. Toronto Maple Leafs 1 defense Ripped it from the Jets on Oct 28, 6-4. Overrun by the Blues on Nov 2, 4-2.
  40. Winnipeg Jets 2 defenses Seized it from the Blues on Oct 22, 3-2. Broken by the Maple Leafs on Oct 28, 6-4.
  41. St. Louis Blues 0 defenses Tore it from the Hurricanes on Oct 19, 4-3. Lost it to the Jets on Oct 22, 3-2.
  42. Carolina Hurricanes 0 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Penguins on Oct 18, 4-1. Fell to the Blues on Oct 19, 4-3.
  43. Pittsburgh Penguins 1 defense Took it by force from the Canadiens on Oct 14, 6-3. Stripped of it by the Hurricanes on Oct 18, 4-1.
  44. Montréal Canadiens 0 defenses Wrenched it from the Senators on Oct 12, 4-1. Overrun by the Penguins on Oct 14, 6-3.
  45. Ottawa Senators 0 defenses Ripped it from the Panthers on Oct 10, 3-1. Broken by the Canadiens on Oct 12, 4-1.
  46. Florida Panthers 1 defense Carried it into the season as Cup champions. Lost it to the Senators on Oct 10, 3-1.

The war road

Every arena the Shield has been carried into this season, in order. Faint lines are its oldest marches; crossed swords mark where it was taken by force.

ANABOSBUFCARCBJCGYCHICOLDALDETEDMFLALAKMINMTLNJDNSHNYINYROTTPHIPITSEASJSSTLTBLTORUTAVANVGKWPGWSH Oct 10: The Senators tear the Shield from the PanthersOct 12: The Canadiens strip the Shield from the SenatorsOct 14: The Penguins break the Canadiens and seize the ShieldOct 18: The Hurricanes take the Shield from the PenguinsOct 19: The Blues take the Shield from the HurricanesOct 22: The Jets strip the Shield from the BluesOct 28: The Maple Leafs strip the Shield from the JetsNov 2: The Blues tear the Shield from the Maple LeafsNov 7: The Utah Hockey Club strip the Shield from the BluesNov 9: The Predators take the Shield from the Utah Hockey ClubNov 11: The Avalanche strip the Shield from the PredatorsNov 15: The Capitals take the Shield from the AvalancheNov 21: The Avalanche break the Capitals and seize the ShieldNov 25: The Lightning break the Avalanche and seize the ShieldNov 27: The Capitals strip the Shield from the LightningDec 3: The Sharks take the Shield from the CapitalsDec 5: The Lightning tear the Shield from the SharksDec 10: The Oilers tear the Shield from the LightningDec 16: The Panthers strip the Shield from the OilersDec 23: The Lightning tear the Shield from the PanthersDec 29: The Canadiens take the Shield from the LightningJan 3: The Blackhawks take the Shield from the CanadiensJan 5: The Rangers take the Shield from the BlackhawksJan 7: The Stars strip the Shield from the RangersJan 12: The Senators tear the Shield from the StarsJan 16: The Capitals take the Shield from the SenatorsJan 25: The Canucks break the Capitals and seize the ShieldJan 31: The Stars strip the Shield from the CanucksFeb 4: The Ducks take the Shield from the StarsFeb 23: The Red Wings take the Shield from the DucksFeb 27: The Blue Jackets strip the Shield from the Red WingsMar 4: The Lightning take the Shield from the Blue JacketsMar 8: The Bruins tear the Shield from the LightningMar 13: The Senators tear the Shield from the BruinsMar 18: The Canadiens break the Senators and seize the ShieldMar 20: The Islanders break the Canadiens and seize the ShieldMar 22: The Flames take the Shield from the IslandersMar 27: The Stars break the Flames and seize the ShieldApr 5: The Penguins strip the Shield from the StarsApr 6: The Blackhawks strip the Shield from the PenguinsApr 8: The Penguins take the Shield from the BlackhawksApr 13: The Bruins break the Penguins and seize the ShieldApr 15: The Devils strip the Shield from the BruinsApr 16: The Red Wings strip the Shield from the DevilsApr 17: The Maple Leafs take the Shield from the Red Wings

How the war ended

Most defenses wins the season's Shield. Level? Longest reign, then captures, then whoever got there first.

#TeamDefensesLongest reignCapturesReignsChallenges
1 Capitals 7 3 3 3 3
2 Stars 6 3 3 3 3
3 Panthers 4 3 1 2 3
4 Lightning 3 1 4 4 6
5 Jets 2 2 1 1 1
6 Oilers 2 2 1 1 2
7 Canucks 2 2 1 1 2
8 Ducks 2 2 1 1 1
9 Senators 2 1 3 3 3
10 Penguins 2 1 3 3 4
11 Avalanche 2 1 2 2 2
12 Canadiens 1 1 3 3 4
13 Maple Leafs 1 1 2 2 3
14 Blues 1 1 2 2 4
15 Red Wings 1 1 2 2 3
16 Bruins 1 1 2 2 4
17 Blue Jackets 1 1 1 1 2
18 Flames 1 1 1 1 2
19 Blackhawks 0 0 2 2 2
20 Hurricanes 0 0 1 1 1
21 Devils 0 0 1 1 3
22 Predators 0 0 1 1 3
23 Islanders 0 0 1 1 3
24 Rangers 0 0 1 1 2
25 Sharks 0 0 1 1 1
26 Utah Hockey Club 0 0 1 1 2

Never laid a hand on it: Flyers, Golden Knights, Kings, Kraken, Sabres, Wild.

Shieldbearers

Every Shield game names a Shieldbearer: the warrior on the winning side who did most to hold the wall or break it. How they're picked.

#PlayerClubShieldbearer
1Leon DraisaitlOilers3
2Brayden PointLightning3
3Roope HintzStars3
4Sidney CrosbyPenguins3
5Cole PerfettiJets2
6Alex OvechkinCapitals2
7Mikko RantanenAvalanche2
8Pierre-Luc DuboisCapitals2
9Jake GuentzelLightning2
10Sam BennettPanthers1

The warriors

Every goal, assist and win in net in a Shield game this season, for the wall or against it.

Goals

#PlayerGoals
1Jake GuentzelLightning12
2Brayden PointLightning8
3Mikko RantanenStars8
4Evgenii DadonovStars7
5Alex OvechkinCapitals7
6Nikita KucherovLightning6
7Sidney CrosbyPenguins6
8Roope HintzStars6

Points

#PlayerPoints
1Brayden PointLightning218G 13A
2Nikita KucherovLightning206G 14A
3Jake GuentzelLightning1712G 5A
4Mikko RantanenStars178G 9A
5Jason RobertsonStars155G 10A
6Leon DraisaitlOilers135G 8A
7Brandon HagelLightning134G 9A
8Sidney CrosbyPenguins116G 5A

Wins in net

#PlayerWins in net
1Charlie LindgrenCapitals51 shutout
2Logan ThompsonCapitals51 shutout
3Jake OettingerStars5
4Andrei VasilevskiyLightning5
5Tristan JarryPenguins41 shutout
6Alexandar GeorgievAvalanche4
7Casey DeSmithStars4
8Samuel MontembeaultCanadiens4

The law of the Shield

  1. One holder. One club carries the Shield at a time. The reigning Stanley Cup champions carry it into opening night.
  2. Every game is a siege. Whenever the holder plays, the Shield is on the line. Any opponent, any arena.
  3. Win, and the wall holds. A win in regulation, overtime or a shootout is a defense, and a rivet hammered into the Shield.
  4. Lose, and it's gone. Beat the holder and the Shield is yours on the spot. Now everyone is coming for you.

The full law: no extra games, no bracket, the NHL standings untouched.